Lunch

Honey Ham and Swiss Sliders

With the holidays in full swing, I like to include some simple dishes on my menu that will please both kids and adults. These sliders are a great way to feed a crowd and you can easily make this recipe with other meats and cheeses as well (for example, roast beef and cheddar). Serve these Honey Ham and Swiss Sliders

Roasted Red Pepper Ciabatta Toasts

Roasted red peppers pack so much flavor and provide a beautiful color for spreads and sauces. These ciabatta toasts soak up the garlicky red pepper sauce and the basil provides the perfect amount of freshness. Serve these as an appetizer or light lunch with a side of leafy greens. If you want to add another Roasted Red Pepper Ciabatta Toasts

Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

This is comfort in a bowl! I used some leftover turkey from our holiday meal and repurposed it into this delicious soup. Serve this with a side of crusty bread and get cozy! 2. Stir in garlic, flour, salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously. 3. Add turkey (or chicken) stock and rice Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

Sesame Cashew Chicken and Peppers

This dish is a wonderful meal to prep ahead for lunch or dinner. It’s a perfect combo of protein and veggies and it reheats nicely. My sauce has way less sugar than a traditional sesame chicken sauce, without sacrificing any flavor. Serve this on it’s own or over rice, quinoa or lo mein noodles. 3. Sesame Cashew Chicken and Peppers

Roasted Pumpkin and Tomato Soup

Pumpkins and all types of squash are available at the market right now and I believe they are more than just a decoration. The combination of roasted tomato and pumpkin works so well together – both add their own unique sweetness which means I didn’t have to add any sugar to the soup. Serve this Roasted Pumpkin and Tomato Soup

BBQ Tofu and Veggie Rice Bowls

This meal is just one of many examples of how plant-based meals can be absolutely delicious and filling. The flavors of the BBQ tofu, spiced roasted veggies, creamy black beans, hearty brown rice and fresh lime meld perfectly together. You can make this recipe using a variety of vegetables or beans (use what you have BBQ Tofu and Veggie Rice Bowls

Crispy Parmesan Dill Tuna Patties

Canned tuna is one of my favorite foods to keep on-hand in our pantry. It’s chock-full of protein (around 28 grams in 4 ounces!) and very affordable. These patties can be served in a variety of ways, but I recommend serving them with roasted veggies, pasta or salad. You could also put them on buns Crispy Parmesan Dill Tuna Patties

Warm Farro Salad

Farro is one of my absolute favorite grains – I love it’s chewy texture. This weather calls for enjoying light salads like this one outside on the patio. This salad is great on its own for lunch, or I suggest serving it with turkey burgers or salmon for a delicious, nutritious dinner. Depending on what Warm Farro Salad

Carrot Top Pesto Penne with Peas

Carrot tops are super flavorful, but they often get tossed. I use them the same way you would use parsley – simply strip the leaves from the stems and add them to soups, salads, or herb-y sauces like pesto or chimichurri. For this pesto recipe, I combined the carrot tops with fresh basil, parsley, toasted Carrot Top Pesto Penne with Peas

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

We recently took a trip to the Baja region of Mexico and our first night at the resort we ordered a seafood cocktail not really knowing what to expect. What came to the table was a bowl of tangy, spicy marinated seafood which they served with saltine crackers and fresh tortilla chips. I was immediately Mexican Shrimp Cocktail